He was found around seven and a half hours later with 102 separate wounds on his arms, hands, back, neck and head, Essex Police said. Today a 38-year-old man from Colchester has been arrested in connection with the death.

Mr Attfield, who was known as Jim to his family, was said to be a quiet, shy man who steered clear of trouble after suffering brain injuries in a car accident four years ago.

At a press conference today, his mother Julie Finch fought back tears as she described how he was "in the process of rebuilding his life".

She said: "The effects [of his accident] left him with a weakness to the left side of his body which in turn affected his balance, his speech was also slightly affected and he suffered short term memory loss and these things obviously made him very vulnerable.

"Jim was very aware of his disabilities and avoided crowded places and situations where he could get injured again."

She said her son "was always a bit of a loner but seemed happy with his own company".

He enjoyed "indulging in his passion for karaoke whenever he could", she added.

He also loved football and was a supporter of MK Dons.

Reading from a statement, Ms Finch said: "Jim was well liked and polite - everyone always had a good word to say about him.

"I would ask the public for any information they may have that could help the police with their inquiries. This to me seems a senseless and frenzied attack on a gentle, vulnerable young man.

"Please, if anyone saw my son on Friday please come forward. Someone, somewhere knows something. No matter how insignificant you may think it is please inform the police."

Following the arrest this afternoon, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Werrett also urged anyone with information to still get in touch.

He said: "I would urge members of the public to continue to call my team with any information they might have about the whereabouts of James Attfield or anything they may have seen or heard in the Castle Park area during the early hours of Saturday morning.

"This is very much a fast moving and on-going investigation which really needs information from the public."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the North Major Investigation Team on 01245 282103 from 6.30am-8pm. Outside of these hours, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.